The actor died on Sunday after complications from blood cancer, according to a statement from his manager and long-time friend.
His most famous role was playing Dr. Hoover on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, but John Wesley had well over 100 acting credits to his name when he died. He was just 72.
Wesley was suffering from multiple myeloma, which is a type of cancer that forms in white blood cells. This cancer essentially builds up within normal bone marrow, crowding out the healthy and important cells.
According to reports from his friends and family, Wesley has been suffering from multiple myeloma for quite some time. It was complications from this disease that ultimately took his life.
Wesley didn’t start out of high school as an actor. A native to Lousiana, after high school he joined the U.S. Army and fought in the Vietnam war.
After his honorable discharge from service, he went onto the University of San Diego where he received his Bachelor of Arts, and to the University of California, San Diego, where he received his Master of Fine Arts.
During his long career, Wesley had the privilege of working with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Barbara Streisand, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, and Denzel Washington.
He had roles in popular shows such as Frasier, The Jamie Foxx Show, and the TV adaptation of Dirty Dancing. Wesley also had a reoccurring role as Mr. Jim in Martin, the TV series with Martin Lawrence that ran for 5 seasons in the 1990s.
Wesley also had several roles on stage and had the chance to perform at the London Globe at least twice, including one in Macbeth.
In the statement released by his manager, Gerry Pass, he said that “I am heartbroken to have lost a dear friend today.” He went on to share that “his kindness and grace are immortalized in his works of theatre, TV, and film”.
Wesley is survived by his wife, Jenny Houston, his mother, Hazel Baskin, his two daughters, Kinshana Houston and Kimiko Houston, his stepson Kyler Richie, as well as nine siblings and a total of seven grandchildren.
